18. Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Colt
" D o you think she is really okay?" I ask Whitney as I look toward the closed bathroom door.
"I don't know. She is. She is private about a lot of things. I'm sure being here in Cedar Creek isn't great for her mental health. There has been a lot happen here."
"Like what?"
"Not my story to tell. Just go easy on her. She's not her best self here."
I contemplate her words as the bathroom door opens and steam bellows out. Brynn is standing in the hallway in a short towel with her hair dripping down her shoulders and her skin flushed. I watch as a drop of water makes its way down her neck, to her collarbone and settles in her cleavage.
My mouth goes dry, my palms are sweaty, and I don't even want to talk about how hard my dick is. I clear my throat. "I need to get to work." I am not sure how I get all the way down the stairs without tripping, but I manage to put my boots on the very last step.
"Everything alright with Brynn?" Blake asks as I pick up my coffee mug full of coffee and take a drink.
"Yeah, she says she is okay." I don't want to say it was a nightmare, in case her brothers aren't aware of them.
"Thanks for checking on her," Blake says as he claps me on the back. "I am going to the barn; meet me up there in about fifteen? You need to finish your breakfast."
"Sure thing, boss," I say as I sit down at the table and start inhaling my breakfast. Momma Ann made pancakes this morning and they are absolutely delicious.
I am almost finished with my stack of pancakes when Brynn comes to sit down beside me with a plate. "Hey," she says quietly.
"Hey. All good?" I look over her outfit, admiring the way the shorts I bought show off her strong legs.
She nods yes; "I wanted to thank you for checking on me."
"No problem. Your brother was alarmed but thought you would probably kill him if he came upstairs and barged into your room."
"Sounds like something I might do," she laughs. "I don't want them to worry."
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. It is not my place."
"Thanks," she says as she takes a bite of pancake and moans .
"Annnnd that's my cue to leave. Have a good day, Firecracker."
"See ya 'round, Cowboy." For once, there is no disdain in her voice on that last word. Progress .
I make my way to the barn to meet Blake and when I arrive; he is already there, handing out orders to the ranch hands. "Let's get the rest of the cattle moved quickly and efficiently. Colt will not be out with you today, so I expect you all to get your shit done and back to the barn before dinner. I will radio you when to come back to the main house and eat. Got it?"
A chorus of 'Yes sir' went around from the men as they hurried to tack their horses and get moving on the directions from Blake. "I'm not going out today?" I ask curiously.
"Nope, today you are learning a new task." His smile is bright.
"What task would that be?" I am kind of scared at the way he is smiling.
"How to wrangle a classroom full of kindergartners," Blake says with a laugh.
My eyes widen, "Kindergarteners?"
"Yup. Today is a field trip day. I host the kids every year during the last week of school. We show them the horses. How to brush the horse, tell them about their mane and how we care for them. Trot the horse around and let them watch. You gotta get Honey cleaned up. "
"Okay. Will you stay there with me?"
"Yes, I promise I won't leave ya by yourself," he chuckles. "Get Honey ready and bring her to the paddock. I'll meet you there in about an hour."
"Yes, sir," I say as I start to gather the items I will need to get Honey cleaned up. Once I have the shampoo, grooming glove and brushes, I let Honey out and walk her just outside the barn into the sunshine.
"There ya go sweet girl. Let's get you all cleaned up." I rub down her neck and turn the hose on to spray her down. I am in the zone as I run the grooming glove across Honey's flank and down her hindquarters. I love the easy flow of grooming; I have always thought of it as a peaceful task. Most horses don't mind the groom, so it makes it easy to get it done.
"Honey?" I hear Brynn's voice filled with awe.
I rinse Honey and give her a treat. As she munches, Brynn comes around to her front and looks her over. "Is this really Honey?" Her voice is full of disbelief.
"Yes, that is the name I was told, anyway. I ride her every day. She's beautiful." I start to brush out her tail.
Brynn brings her hand to her lips, "I can't believe he kept her." I see a tear roll down her cheek.
I remember what Whitney said about Honey now. "I was told George kept her around in hopes her rider would come back. "
"Hey Brynn," Brooks says as he stops in his tracks when he sees her loving on Honey. "Whatcha doin?"
"I was just going for a walk and thought this horse looked an awful lot like Honey, turns out it is because it is her," she sniffs.
Brooks looks at me and I just shrug. "Blake wanted me to clean her up for when the kindergarten class arrives."
Brynn's eyes go wide. "She hates kids. Actually, she kinda hates everyone."
As if on command, Brooks steps forward, and Honey's nostrils flare, and her ears flatten. "Well, she doesn't hate Colt. He is the only one to ride her in years."
Brynn's eyes widen in shock. "Are you serious?"
Brooks nods, "Dad kept her around all these years for you, even though she wouldn't let anyone ride her. When Colt started, she picked him. We were showing him around the ranch when we stopped at the paddock, his arms were on the fence and we warned him to move. He didn't listen, and Honey came right up to him and bent her head to nuzzle him. It was the strangest thing we had ever witnessed. She took right to him."
Brynn continues to rub on Honey. "My sweet girl," she whispers.
"Colt! Let's get a move on, the kids will be here soon!" Blake hollers .
"I think I will come watch you guys with the little ones this morning. I can't wait to see Blake handle kids." Brynn laughs as she walks toward Blake, who is finishing setting up the pop-up tent by the paddock.
"I hear we are popping your cherry today, Colt," Whitney says as she saddles up next to Brooks.
"Can you not, please?" Brooks pleads.
"Oh c'mon. It is just a figure of speech. Don't get your briefs in a wad." Whitney rolls her eyes.
"First time with the kiddos is going to be fun!" Whitney says excitedly. "I can't wait to see their little excited faces. Try not to scowl too much, we don't want to scare them."
"I make no promises," I say as I lead Honey toward Blake and wait for the kiddos to arrive.